Maggie Smith Has Never Seen 'Downton Abbey': VIDEO

Maggie Smith is asked by 60 Minutes whether she's proud of Downton Abbey's success.

"Well yes, of course I am. I was just thinking, pausing, because I haven't actually seen it..."

watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

(via afterelton)

Senator Jeanne Shaheen Honors Deceased Lesbian Guardsman Charlie Morgan in Emotional Floor Speech: VIDEO

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) honored Charlie Morgan, the lesbian guardsman and LGBT activist who died last week from breast cancer just one day before the Pentagon announced that it would extend limited partner benefits to gay troops and their families, something she had been fighting for for months. Unfortunately, since the benefits are not retroactive, Morgan's family will not receive them.

Said Shaheen, who got choked up during her speech: "I hope that Charlie Morgan knew how many lives she touched and how greatly we admired her efforts. I know that she will be sorely missed, and that her example will continue to guide us well into the future."

The Washington Blade reports:

Shaheen said she met Morgan in 2011 when she contacted the senator’s office upon her return from Kuwait. Morgan received notification that her spouse would be unable to attend a transition program known as National Guard Yellow Ribbon Reintegration. The senator said she worked with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to ensure Morgan’s family could participate...

...Concluding her speech, Shaheen announced that she would soon introduce a bill she called the Charlie Morgan Act, which she said would end a number of restrictions of benefits for legal spouses for service members, regardless of sexual orientation.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Christians Caused Gay Marriage: VIDEO

According to the Westboro Baptist Church's unique brand of logic.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

(via good as you)

The OXD Mirror: New Music for 2.15.13

BY OCCUPY THE DISCO / JOSH APPELBAUM

The OXD Mirror is a weekly music column brought to you by the boys of OCCUPY THE DISCO (OXD), a New York City based movement created by three music lovers, Ru Bhatt, Josh Appelbaum, and Tadeu Magalhães, who want to share their love for disco, house and dance music with the world.

 

Mighty Mouse: 'Love Is Gonna Lift You Up (Sunrise Mix)'

We always get excited when one of our favorite producers, Mighty Mouse (who we have featured HEAVILY on Towleroad), drops a new track. It's not like the UK-based DJ and producer has been idle – he recently announced his new musical project, Du Tonc, with Van She's lead singer Matt Van Schie.  That hasn't stopped him from doing what he does best: creating lush electronic dance and disco tracks.  His latest, 'Love Is Gonna Lift You Up,' samples Bobby Womack's 2012 song of the same name and Mighty Mouse has given the track 3 different treatments: a Sunrise, Sunset and Church Mix. All three take the soulful R&B song and turn it into something inspiring. I especially like the Sunrise mix, as it injects nu-disco elements to make this once smooth song even more powerful and uplifting. We're hoping to hear this in person when we Occupy Brooklyn's Cameo Gallery for Mighty Mouse next week; Check out the details on our site.

 

The Carry Nation: 'House Like This'

I am really excited to share this release from NYC-based DJ duo The Carry Nation. Two of New York City's best gay DJs, Nita Aviance and Will Automagic, are the brains behind this outfit. Nita is known for DJing New York Times-profiled party Westgay while Will is resident DJ for Spank! Magazine's Brooklyn loft parties.  Both of these guys are talented in their own right and together are a force to be reckoned with.  'House Like This' is their first release and serves us their dirty underground brand of house music NYC has come to know and love.

 

Golf Clap: 'Another Way (Grant Nelson Remix)'

I stumbled upon this cut from deep house label Freeze Dried Records and I can't get enough of the slick 'evening time over cocktails' feeling this song evokes.  Apparently the Detroit based act Golf Clap is resonating well with others too, as this particular remix by British producer Grant Nelson went to #1 on Traxsource's top download charts this week.

MORE NEW MUSIC, AFTER THE JUMP...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crazy P: 'Eruption (Bonar Bradbury Mix)'

Crazy P, formerly known as Crazy Penis (yes!), are a talented house/disco/soul group from the UK that have been around since 1995.  Their name originated from one of the members being inspired by a track his flatmate made called "Loco Pinga."  In 2008 they changed the name to Crazy P to accomodate their growing popularity and become a bit more palatable to new fans and promoters.  They recently dropped the aptly titled Remixed album, featuring the best remakes of their latest two albums. The Bonar Bradberry remix of 'Eruption' from their last album When We On stood out to me.  It adds in all the bells and whistles of a great house song, including electro synths and classic house piano, to create a bold dancefloor track.

 

Satin Jackets: 'You Make Me Feel Good (Deep Mix)'

Back on my deep house kick this week, poolside favorite Satin Jackets are back with a sexy new remix on their new label Eskimo Recordings.  Sticking to what they are good at, Satin Jackets have created another glossy, lush song that has the rare ability to remain very simple yet emotive.  I suppose this will have to tide us over until we are ready for summer again...

 

Brett: 'Rap Songs (Them Jeans Remix)'

DC-based electro rock band Brett is releasing their “Rap Songs x Visions” EP on February 26th.  'Rap Songs' is a very fun, whimsical, rock-influenced pop jam featuring guitar and heavy synthesizers.  L.A.-based producer Them Jeans, who has remixed artists like Flight Facilities, 2 Door Cinema Club, and even Rihanna ('Stay'), has added his very stylistic and serious house blend to this song. Them Jeans created some interesting nuggets that were not there originally, transforming the song into something almost unrecognizable but still incredibly chic.

Paradisco on Sundays, 3-8pm

Occupy The Disco has teamed up with THE OUT NYC to create a Sunday afternoon tea dance focused on disco and house music catered specifically to gay music lovers. We have invited our dear friend, Fire Island's legendary DJ Lina Bradford, to provide the music for the party alongside Occupy the Disco as we take our hands at the decks. Paradisco takes place in THE OUT NYC's enclosed glass atrium, letting lots of sunlight pour in while you enjoy the great music and amenities the space has to offer. You can also expect to hear some familiar tunes from The OXD Mirror here on Towleroad. More info on our website.

 

This week's post was written and curated by Josh Appelbaum.

For more information on OXD, check out our website and accompanying blog at www.occupythedisco.com, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter: @OccupyTheDisco.

Pro Soccer Player Robbie Rogers Comes Out as Gay, Retires from the Sport

Former Major League Soccer player Robbie Rogers came out of the closet in a blog post on Friday and also announced that he's leaving football.

Wrote Rogers, in part:

Secrets can cause so much internal damage. People love to preach about honesty, how honesty is so plain and simple.   Try explaining to your loved ones after 25 years you are gay. Try convincing yourself that your creator has the most wonderful purpose for you even though you were taught differently.

I always thought I could hide this secret. Football was my escape, my purpose, my identity. Football hid my secret, gave me more joy than I could have ever imagined… I will always be thankful for my career. I will remember Beijing, The MLS Cup, and most of all my teammates.  I will never forget the friends I have made a long the way and the friends that supported me once they knew my secret. 

Now is my time to step away. It’s time to discover myself away from football.  It’s 1 A.M. in London as I write this and I could not be happier with my decision. Life is so full of amazing things. I realized I could only truly enjoy my life once I was honest.  Honesty is a bitch but makes life so simple and clear.  My secret is gone, I am a free man, I can move on and live my life as my creator intended. 

Rogers said that fear held him back for 25 years:

For the past 25 year I have been afraid, afraid to show whom I really was because of fear. Fear that judgment and rejection would hold me back from my dreams and aspirations.   Fear that my loved ones would be farthest from me if they knew my secret.  Fear that my secret would get in the way of my dreams.

Dreams of going to a World Cup, dreams of The Olympics, dreams of making my family proud.  What would life be without these dreams? Could I live a life without them?

Life is only complete when your loved ones know you.  When they know your true feelings, when they know who and how you love. Life is simple when your secret is gone.  Gone is the pain that lurks in the stomach at work, the pain from avoiding questions, and at last the pain from hiding such a deep secret.

Tweeted Rogers Friday morning: "Just getting some sh*t off my chest."

Writes Goal.com: "The 25-year-old California native became a star in five seasons with MLS side Columbus Crew, winning the 2008 MLS Cup and the 2008 and 2009 MLS Supporters' Shield titles and being named to the 2008 Best XI squad. He made 18 appearances with the United States national team, scoring two goals."

Gay Wedding Video of the Day: Jason and Tony

Jason and Tony's was the first-ever gay wedding at NYC's iconic Plaza Hotel. Though the setting is spectacular, the emotions appeared to have outshone it.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

And if you missed yesterday's Valentine's round-up of our favorite gay wedding videos, check it out HERE.

Don't miss our other recent Gay Wedding videos...
Gay Wedding Video of the Day: Clinton and Callum [tlrd]
Gay Wedding Video of the Day: Bloomington, Indiana Mayor and 13 Same-Sex Couples [tlrd]
Gay Wedding Video of the Day: Andrew and Rob [tlrd]
Gay Wedding Video of the Day: Tony and Kevin [tlrd]
Gay Wedding Video of the Day: Aaron and Danny [tlrd]